Declawing: against or for?

Hmm..well I AM old enough to move out, I COULD have taken Kiba but then she'd have a crappy life as I wouldn't be able to afford the life she has now. I feel bad cause I gave in to my mom when I should have stood up for her. At that time I have no alternatives so it is just as much my fault. I really don't know how that makes me narrowminded though..I just don't. Smitten was declawed a long time ago when I was a kid, then Kiba last year or whatever. Neither have any problems and you'd never know they were declawed IMO. That's not to say it's not possible. I would not give up my pet if they had blatter problems. I'd find someway to fix it.

Carole,I did talk with the person and we worked things out and agreed to just forget about this :) You were right.

Audrey I am very pleased to hear that, I knew the person was approachable and would never hate you.

Just wanted to add, I think when you live in your parents home, you kinda have to abide by their decisions, as you say you could have moved out, but the kitties life would not be near as good, so there is your answer in itself, maybe in your case it was the right decision, I don't really know.

You should really forgive yourself Audrey, and put it behind you now, and enjoy those special kitties of yours ok.:)

Normally, I would agree with the majority,but my current friend, Junior, was born with deformed paws. Rather than the normal 4 toes, he has only 2 per front paw, and the claws(4 of them) were growing thru the sides of the inner edge. He is a healthy, and active young boy otherwise, but was in great pain as his claws continued to grow inwards. We( the vet and I ) tried several alternatives, before the final decision was made.

Do I think it effected him? Yes, most definately. But for Junior's special case, it was in his best interest.

I think that in Junior's case, it was something that was medically neccesary to help him lead a normal life.

Hi, juniorsmom, welcome to Pet Talk. I'm davi p and I live in Pittsburgh, Pa I am a servant to two kitties. Nikki, a tuxedo kitty, and Daisy, a tortoiseshell kitty. Normally I would be against it also, however in Junior's case, to ease his pain I would do it. I would hate to see Junior suffer.

I think everyone agrees that there are special circumstances like Junior, and only then would de-clawing be considered necessary, if it is done to make the kitties life better then that is a completely different thing altogether.

I agree with carole, catnapper and david p. I think de-clawing is fine in that circumstance. I don't understand why people would want to declaw their cat because they're ruining the furnature ect. A neighbour declawed her cat and let it outside, a dog attacked it (it eventually needed to be put down because of the dog) and it could not defend it's self :( It's so sad.

as long as its done while they are kittens. My larger cat has been (found him that way) but the smaller one isnt. She doesnt attack the furniture, just the carpet because its hooked. I couldnt imagine doing in now because she is older and wouldnt understand why her feet hurt.

I am sorry I cannot see what difference it would make if it is done when they are kittens, kittens feel pain just the same.!!!!

I'm sorry too... as its the best time to teach the cat not to scratch is when they are kittens. Teach them young and they'll have a lifetime of good habits of not scratching the furniture.

Something to think about before deciding to declaw your cat:
7 years ago, I had a cat that I had declawed. She was a 100% indoor cat. I never let her out...but she was let out by mistake. I could not find her. Never did. I would like to think she was taken in by someone, because I can't bear the thought that she was out in the country defenseless. I would never ever do that to my kitty now. If there are other issues, we will work through them. Cats rely on their claws for protection.

"I disagree, a home which demands declawing before homing a cat is not a good home but a narrow minded OR uneducated one."

I kind of resent that coment, I have 5 cat children, and when I got them declawed, it was not because I was narrow minded or uneducated. I knew what they were going to do. I really didn't have a whole lot of choices. None of them will go outside, haven't in years, we can leave the door open and they just lay inside the door.
Not to mention the fact that all of the boys, beat the living snot out of my mamma, and they were hurting her. And each other.

I thought that this was supposed to be a place that everyone could share their personal opinions and not be critized or called names.
I have read some of these posts and some of the things people say are just cruel. I have learned in my life, that sometimes it is best not to ask a question, especially if you don't know what the answer might be, cause chances are, you won't like the answer.

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Originally posted by lildemon72
"I disagree, a home which demands declawing before homing a cat is not a good home but a narrow minded OR uneducated one."

I kind of resent that coment, I have 5 cat children, and when I got them declawed, it was not because I was narrow minded or uneducated. I knew what they were going to do. I really didn't have a whole lot of choices. [/B]

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The defination of narrow-minded is

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not willing to accept ideas or ways of behaving that are different from your own:

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You declawed your cats as you could not accept that there was alternatives ideas or training methods, as you said 'I really didn't have a whole lot of choices.' That is a classic defination of narrowed minded, being closed minded to new ideas like owning a clawed cat.

This is not an insult just a description of your situation/attitude

BTW neither is uneducated an insult either, the actual defination is...

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having received little or no education

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Certainly this does not apply to you as you say you 'knew what they were going to do'

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BTW if you want to show how open minded you are, post for help when you adopt your next cat (as there is always another cat ;) )

We can help you train him/her though the nawtee kitten stage between 4 months and a year.

Once a cat gets to be a year old, they all calm down and start behaving very well regarding scratching etc.

Sadly those cat owners who declaw at the six month stage would never see the natural way a clawed cat calms down as they mature.

calm down my ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My cats range in ages from 8 years to 9 months. I wasted money on several of those so called alternatives and little suggestions, and when I have to replace my furniture every year, cause the cats tore it up. I chose the alternative.

I don't know what you tried however there are hundreds of possible solutions.

A good sturdy cat tree in the right location is the key. Here is our latest trees (big for our 8 furkids)
http://www.declawing.co.uk/scratchingposttree.html
http://www.piftails.com/slideshowannie/1.gif

The tree needs to be in the correct location, ie close to where the cats sleep.

Allow for a full heigh scratch, without the tree wobbling.

All cats have different preferences to a 'good tree'

This varys :-

1 : As to size of tree

2 : As to orientation either vertical or horizontal

3: As to material solid wood, carpet, sisal rope, sisal material, cardboard

There are endless ways of encouraging scratching ON a post and discourage scratching elsewhere, I'm writing an article which I'll post when I have finished it.

absolutely AGAINST declawing a cat...how about detoothing a dog, or dewinging a bird, or definning a fish???...i have personally lived with 2 declawed cats (not together) and both had severe personality issues. one was so timid and afraid that it always hid, the other became a hisser, hissing at everything and a definite biter...it's like buying a dog and then not expecting it to bark...cats have claws and dogs have teeth, so deal with it or don't get the pet...:) :) :) (hope i am not being rude, i'm a little emotional on this issue)

I am TOTALLY against declawing cats - adopting cats that are already declawed is one thing, but declawing them after you adopt them is just unacceptable to me - that's my opinion, that's all.

That being said, I have a question - what would you guys recommend for my mom's new cat - here's the situation: she is the 2nd of their two cats - about 1 year and 5 months old - she came to live with them in Dec 2004. She is just now getting settled with her kitty brother and relaxing in her new home. My mom is starting to really appreciate the fact that she jumps on the couch and sits on her lap and my dad's lap - their other cat isn't much of a lap kitty. However, when she sits down, she really digs her claws in - not intentionally, but her claws seem to be extra long and sharp - even after a claw trim, which they try to do regularly, like my husband and I do with ours. I don't think soft claws is much of an option, b/c she still doesn't like to be picked up - just petted a lot and will sit with you. She really spazzes when someone picks her up even after over 2 months of being with them - they're having to give her meds for her eye (herpes?!?) and her respiratory infection right now which is really hard b/c she squirms so much. What is a good option for her claws? Mom & Dad don't want to declaw her - their other one isn't declawed (he's a polydactyl, in fact) - Mom's cat Missy was declawed (that was many years ago when it was always done) and got out one time and was viciously attacked by a dog with no defense mechanism (Mom still thinks Missy would've lived longer as a whole without that incident - she managed to live 5-10 years more after that, making it to 17) , was injured, and they regret it to this day.

Any suggestions for a cat who's trying to be sweet, but hurting my parents' laps at the same time?

Also, I have 4 cats, and while we trained Bailey to scratch posts when he was a baby, he still has one recliner he likes to scratch (mostly for attention). Leila came to us at 5 months and she is just nuts for sissal and cardboard scratching surfaces, so she's no problem. Leo came to us as a 1-2 year old boy, so it's been really tough with him - he's not much of a vertical scratching post guy - he likes the 2 cardboard things we have, but continues to scratch our recliner mostly, no matter what - sometimes our couch. Claudia mostly scratches what she's supposed to, but occasionally scratches furniture (like Bailey, for attention), and carpet a little, like Leila. Any suggestions for Leo & Bailey and the chair? We know we're going to have to reupholster it before too long - right now it's covered in sheets, but they still manage to scratch it a little. We've tried sticky paws (they scratch to the side of where we place them and they wear out quickly), the various sprays, etc. Nothing seems to deter them if they want to scratch badly enough.

I'd appreciate advice on Mom's cat and my boy cats, if anyone knows of anything. :)

I would just fold a blanket several times and put across my lap before medicating the cat.

I am also against declawing. I have adopted 3 cats, all with their claws. We had an old couch which they ripped apart, along with the bed ruffle, the hopechest, the leather chair and more. We were buying new couches and started to get nervous that they would be ripped apart - but we did not want to declaw. We used everything recommended to us in order to lessen the scratching - the sprays, the nail covers, sticky paws, etc. Nothing worked for too long.

Our cats were not vertical scratchers either. We had a 3 foot post that they rarely used. We bought a 7 foot scratching post/cat tree. I was hoping that they would use it. Well, they live in it - they can jump, scratch (not just vertically). And if you spray catnip on it - that's a big help. :-) We also bought a smaller post and put it by the couches - and they use it, not the couches.

Another thing that seemed to help. When we first got the new couches, we were always watching the cats out of the corners of our eyes. When they did try to scratch (it is natural), we would say no and stop the paws before they started (gently of course). It seemed to work because they hardly ever scratch anything except the scratching posts and we can trust them without having to always keep an eye on them.

indoor kitties i am for it,but use the laser surgury option much more expensive but way faster healing time and only do the fronts.


outdoor kitties- i am against it. this is for both the outdoor and indoor/outdoor kitties the ones the go in and out.Because they need them to defend themselves from other cats and animals.

i must repectfully disagree...my cats Zip and Shy are indoor cats, and they are still the way they were when i got them...WITH claws...they are cats, these wonderful creatures are born with claws, that is how it is...if you are going to have indoor cats and have expensive furniture then it is up to the RESPONSIBLE cat owner to train the cats properly, so as to minimize any damage, if this isn't an option, too quote someone earlier...GET A GOLDFISH!!!!....we don't detooth dogs because they bite do we???...how about debeaking the bird because it pecks???...it's like buying a tarantula as a pet and ripping it's fangs out becuse you're afraid it will bite you...ummm, it's a spider, they have fangs and bite......:) :) :)

Bear got her front feet declawed.This happened when i was little,so i had no say in it.She is declawed,and i personally dont have a problem with it.She's a old kitty now and rarely goes out,and is very wobbly when she walks.Bear was declawed when she was older,i believe it was when we move to Louisiana from Canada.In Canada,she was outside all that time.She never was/is in pain from getting declawed.
I personally wouldnt do it now.

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Originally posted by Cataholic
ACGAS and YLL,

I have six cats, all of them declawed, at my request. I have no one to blame it on but me. Having said that, I will tell you I have changed my position, based on education, and tolerance. I would not declaw my next cat...which, because of Binx and Tex's health, and Minnie's reclusivenss, will not be anytime in the near future. So, I guess it is easy for me to sit here and tell you what I won't be doing in the future, after having done it in the past. In fact, I imagine my post might be a little bit unbelievable. I feel hypocritical. I can only tell you, after education, I have changed my mind. I am against declawing, and can assure you, the last thing I ever want to do is 'eat my words'...I won't do it.

I ask that you really really educate yourself, and think things through carefully (as I know you will).

Johanna


P.S.- I am also against docking, cropping, breeding, etc!!!

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Good Lord, did I really write this all that time ago? At least I can now shout from the rooftops- I AM AGAINST DECLAWING! And, have Monte to show for it. :D

Monte came into my home 12/03, fully wheeled, and ready to wreck havoc on my life. I do have a brand new couch that has some 'wear' on it..he he..from Monte, that's life with cats. I do have Jonah (came into my home 9-04) and on rare occasions, he gets a scratch from Monte. That is life with cats. I get scratches from all the cats, that is life with cats.

I can state from first hand experience, there isn't any problem with one clawed kitty and 6 declawed ones. Monte's claws are NOT the problem His temperment and youthful exuberance, maybe. His claws? NOT.

I do trim his claws, usually front only, when he is napping, and usually can get it done at one time.

To those people that say they do it as they have pride in their homes...I say...what do you propose I do with Jonah? He really chooses the most inappropriate places to spit up. AND, his dirty diaper has stained a shirt or two of mine. Oh, he sometimes spits his food out, and it gets on the wall. What shall I do?:rolleyes:

glad that you have changed your mind, cataholic, and i'm fairly certain that so is monte:) :) .(.your honesty and openess, is also nice)...thnx for sharing your experience...

My cat Sonny was front declawed thirteen years ago because my parents felt it was better. I personally wouldn't do so because of the alternatives available. I like soft claws products. The county vet here does not do a good job declawing. Three people I know have brought home cats with bleeding paws and nerve problems that last the cat's life. My mom's friend has a siamese that has limped on the sides of its paws for years because of being declawed. When I volunteered at the local humane society I kept the cats' nails well trimmed so people didn't look in the cages and see talons coming at them like they do sometimes when nobody cuts their nails.

totally against, period and period is PERIOD. end of discussion. :D

a sad story: I adopted a dear little fluffy, clayton and his previous owner NEVER mentioned anything about declawed him. I found him with NO claws when I pet him all over with my love...about a week after I got him. "what the........???!" he looked at me gorgeously innocent... he couldn't talk!! :mad:

I am totally against declawing. My Buffy kitty just got declawed and just insn't her self. All she wants to is lay around and get left alone. She is usally running my family up the walls. And is a good entertainer if the satilite goes out.

well katie, we all learn from our experiences...just give lots and lots of love!!!...(i'm certainly not a vet, nor an expert)...i can only talk from personal experience and the 3 declawed cats I lived with were not normal as i know cats...they were VERY defensive and offstandish...i only hope the best for you and your cats!:) :) :)...

I'm very much against declawing for many of the same reasons posted here on P.T.

One thing that aggravates me, is when a new cat owner has the immediate reaction to declaw the pet after only one incident (or in some cases: no incidents!)
I think it's sad.

First off, I'd like to say, I do not own a cat. That said, my fiance is a cat lover through and through. She's all for the humane treatment of all animals, as am I. We do, however, agree on one thing, if your cat stay's indoors, get the thing declawed.

I've read alot of the posts in this thread, and I've read alot of nonesense from alot of supposed educated cat people. like this payitforward person. Ignorance doesn't even begin to describe you, among some other people here. You seem to attack people for choosing to declaw their cat. It's their decision, leave them to it.

As far as some of you people saying a person does not love their cat because they got it declawed, or they should own a fish, or whatever...get over it!! After reading a few of these posts I was compelled to reply to it. I love the one where payitforward says someone is narrow minded for not checking out all the other options, before declawing a cat. All this person seems to think about is don't declaw, don't declaw, don't declaw. Even for a justified reason. Hell, because the owner wants to have their cat declawed is justified reason enough. It's more justified when you want to protect the contents of your home, like furniture, walls, whatever. Don't declaw, Don't declaw, Don't declaw...anyone see anything narrow minded here??

To those of you who would say not to have a cat if your worried about furniture, and people care more about their furniture than their cat, I say this... my fiance has a cat, she loves it more than anything and she chose to have it declawed. She would not want to know life without a cat, so should she not have a cat because she prefers to have it declawed?? Of course she should have a cat, because she is a loving person who chooses to give her love to one lucky cat.

Those of you who say it is cruel...if it's done when the cat is a kitten, yes it still feels pain (supposedly. No one really knows), but the pain is not remembered. It's the same as circumcized babies, they don't remember the pain. I'm sure alot of you neuter your pets, this also could be looked upon as cruel (I'm sure some of the extreme cat people on here think it is), but is accepted because cat's, like all other animals have no concept of birth control. They also have no concept of not ruining my leather couch and my custom home theatre, and, although I love animals, I love my home theatre too!!

There are other options, right?? Sure train the cat not to scratch, that will work, until that ONE TIME when it decides to have a go at my coffee table. Caps, on the end of the claws?? I, personally, would rather have my nails removed than have plastic or rubber caps glued to my nails. One question here...can the cat even retract it's nails with these abominations on?? If it can (although I can't see how) the extra space taken up by the caps will also cause pain permanantly. If they can't retract their nails while wearing these silly inventions, well, wouldn't that be slightly uncomfortable too??? OF COURSE IT WOULD!!! Did you so called cat lovers who think declawing is inhumane think about that one???

I may not own a cat, but I will be inheriting one in two months when my fiance and I move into our new house. Someone here said that people should not comment, or know nothing about cat's if they don't own one. Well genious, I've had dogs all my life. I'm very good at training, have read many books on the subject and my dog Mickey, a beautiful Golden Retriver, is an amazing dog. When I move, I've decided to leave him with my parents, they are retiring soon and love him to bits. So, when I move and no longer have a dog, should I not comment on dog's because I don't own one??

It's funny how most of you think your so much better than others because your againt declawing, and think other's love their cat's less because they choose to declaw. Do any of you people have kids?? Babies for that matter?? Must be nice when your kid get's all scratched up by your special cat. Well, I'll be having kids in the next couple of years, and although I'm not going to have our kid declawed, or circumcized for that matter, I can sleep at night knowing our baby wont need a new eye because a cat's claw accidentally tore it out. If you think that sounds rediculous, you should really review what some of you have said on here, rediculous doesn't even begin to describe it.

One thing's for sure, my leather couch, my home theatre, my car, my coffee table, fridge, carpet, walls, and yeah, even my future kids will all be intact, because I decided I'd be smart and make sure our cat is declawed. Do I think material things are more important than life itself?.. no, but I REALLY love my home theater and my leather couch. All of you who disagree with me can KMA!!! <you can figure that one out on your own.

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Originally posted by kaoK'okung
i must repectfully disagree...my cats Zip and Shy are indoor cats, and they are still the way they were when i got them...WITH claws...they are cats, these wonderful creatures are born with claws, that is how it is...if you are going to have indoor cats and have expensive furniture then it is up to the RESPONSIBLE cat owner to train the cats properly, so as to minimize any damage, if this isn't an option, too quote someone earlier...GET A GOLDFISH!!!!....we don't detooth dogs because they bite do we???...how about debeaking the bird because it pecks???...it's like buying a tarantula as a pet and ripping it's fangs out becuse you're afraid it will bite you...ummm, it's a spider, they have fangs and bite......:) :) :)

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and i'll say it again!!!! ;) ;) ;)

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ummm, it's a spider, they have fangs and bite

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ummm, they also devenomize lethal spiders before they are sold as pets, ummm.

I already posted an opinion on here but forgot to add that Sonny has gotten his back nails stuck in carpeting and blankets and has ripped them to a point of bleeding several times. The vet we brought him to for his front claws 14 years ago did a wonderful job and he never seemed to be in pain afterwards. I think that declawing should be regulated greatly but not illegal.

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Originally posted by ANTH055
Ignorance doesn't even begin to describe you, among some other people here.

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Nice attitude.

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Originally posted by ANTH055

One thing's for sure, my leather couch, my home theatre, my car, my coffee table, fridge, carpet, walls, and yeah, even my future kids will all be intact, because I decided I'd be smart and make sure our cat is declawed. Do I think material things are more important than life itself?.. no, but I REALLY love my home theater and my leather couch. All of you who disagree with me can KMA!!! <you can figure that one out on your own.

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My house and furniture is all intact too and I am very smart as I didn't spend any money on declawing operations. Just five minutes a day to train my cats when they first arrive here as adults or kittens. No big deal.

I am not narrow minded in my attitude to declawing far from it, I have an open challenge on my declawing site, looking for any advantage to the cat in being declawed.

If I found one advantage to the cat in being declawed, I would change my mind on this issue. However the only reasons which have been put forward to date have been owner related reasons.

Feel free to post on this thread or on my declawing site, if you can think of any advantage to the cat in being declawed. I even allow guests to post without registering in this section, as some people would not post if they had to put a name to their post.
Main site
http://www.declawing.co.uk/
Declawing section
http://www.piftails.com/forum/upload...splay.php?f=17

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Originally posted by IRescue452
I already posted an opinion on here but forgot to add that Sonny has gotten his back nails stuck in carpeting and blankets and has ripped them to a point of bleeding several times.

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Trimming his claws weekly would have been just as effective. I do this with our older cat George and as long as we trim his claws (2 minutes once a week) he no longer catches his claws on anything. Just a thought.

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Originally posted by moosmom
Nodgeness,

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. As you can see, the majority is against it.

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You shouldn't say bushit!!

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Originally posted by katie&pets
You shouldn't say ***** !!

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If you look at the number of votes on the poll at the top of this page the majority of voters are against declawing.

135 (76.27%) of voters are against declawing
26 (14.69%) of voters are in favor of declawing

So Moosmom statement is an 100% accurate fact.

PS. I have blanked out your rude word in my quote as this is meant to be a child friendly site.

Im against it.... I think its mean to do to the poor animals, have someone rip off all your nails... I dont think you would like it.

The entire issue of declawing raises far reaching questions.

The reason for man domesticating animals in the first instance was to exploit them. The dog is generally regarded as the first domesticated creature - it helped in finding food, cleaning up the camp and protecting it. The horse made man faster, stealthier and saved time and effort. The cat was domesticated for the very attributes we now feel uncomfortable with - it kills the things that seek to share our agricultural resources.

Genetically modified plants and animals are a huge issue in the modern world - and to my mind, rightly so - but we have tried to select for genetic traits in our domestic animals for thousands of years and created animals that suit our purposes rather than the original design that nature had for them. We have dairy and beef cows genetically manipulated, by us, to grow into money for us. We have cereal crops that have been hybridised to ensure the fullest crop we can attain in any given environment.
All this and much, much more before we start talking about GM.

The issue of a few hundreds of thousands cats a year getting their claws taken out may seem trivial against all the new worries and issues we have to deal with.

But to understand what we are changing with an "idea" of "certainty" now, we must understand the damage we have done already.

Countless islands have been decimated of unique fauna by the introduction of domestic cats.

For many years in the UK the domestic cat has been blamed for the most kills of birds that are seen as declining or at risk (not always the case - and research needs to focus on pesticide use, hedgerow loss, field size, public access and a host of other things!), cats are not always the main villans but they sure play their part!

Is this the cat's fault?

The only answer to that is NO.

What do us humans then do to recitfy a bad situation? In some places you can't have cats outdoors - is this fair considering we made the domestic cat the way it is?
In some places there is little restriction - is this fair on the local wildlife?
In some places people choose to have cats in their house and then find that the cat exhibits natural behaviour using furniture and wall paper that the humans value to do this. Is that fair?

The truth is that it doesn't matter what species the human considers it has domesticated - the natural urges, needs and behaviours will out. A dog will do wolf things, a cat will do cat stuff and a pig will do wild pig stuff. - are we really so far up ourselves that we can consider surgery for the animals we made as a reasonable solution to the problems we have living with them? Do we really NEED a cat to the point that we lose sight of what caring for that cat entails? Are we really so messed that we can't choose the right option between getting a cat and getting a cat that has to have surgery in oder to live with us?

I love cats, I love having them around me - but this cat will be the last. - Surgery is not an issue for me - it wouldn't happen! The amount of little dead bodies at this time of year shows me that there is a problem.

QUOTE""It's funny how most of you think your so much better than others because your againt declawing, and think other's love their cat's less because they choose to declaw. Do any of you people have kids?? Babies for that matter?? Must be nice when your kid get's all scratched up by your special cat. Well, I'll be having kids in the next couple of years, and although I'm not going to have our kid declawed, or circumcized for that matter, I can sleep at night knowing our baby wont need a new eye because a cat's claw accidentally tore it out. If you think that sounds rediculous, you should really review what some of you have said on here, rediculous doesn't even begin to describe it.""QUOTE



erm actually yes I do have children, and a cat and have always had cats while i have had childrenas I taught my children to be respectful!! Never to this day have they ever been hurt by them...and why should a cat suffer (which u already own) from having this operation done through no medical reason at all because you dont want a child to get scratched???
If a cat is going to scratch a child, 10 - 1 its because thatchild has hurt it in some way in which case it is up to the parent to teach the child how to respect the animal.....and if the child did it again and did get scratched...well the child probably would learn not to do it again.
Further more...what you have said about declawing....all you seem to be more concerned over is your precious furniture.
I do agree with it if it is strictly for medical purposes, if not then the claw can be trimmed. There are such inventions as scratch posts which most cats will preffer to use.
You will also find that alot of scratching is done through boredom which is why it is also better to have 2 kittens/cats together for play and companionship.
As for nutering a cat...it is not always done for birth control....and when it is done for birth control it is a good reason. After working in a sanctuary, you see an abundance of unwanted kittens just because an irrisponsible owner did not do something about it sooner. There is also proof that it can reduce the risk of certain cancers, and is also extremely valuable when trying to calm down an aggressive animal due to too much hormones!
As for being small minded people, a majority of us are saying that yes people are intitled to their oppinions, and here is ours.
Small minded to me, is a person who just decides to reply to a bunch of posts with his opinion on his valuable furniture.
I hate to tell u....but its not just the cats claws that would wreck your furniture....or did someone forget to mention that they can throw up, chew, and leave lovely parcels for you as well.....and no....not because they are un-trained....but possibly because they are ill.
You want kids???!!! if i were u, i would take their nails off, extract their teeth and place corks in certain places so they wont harm your beloved possesions......oh yes...and do watch out for that toast being posted into your VCR too.